Laser Tattoo Removal
The practice of applying tattoos to the human body is not a new one and has existed since ancient times. Tattoos have always been present in American culture, but in the past three decades there has been an explosion in the number of tattoo parlors in the U.S. and in the number of people who have one or more tattoos. Starting in the 1990s, tattoos became a trendy fashion statement for men and women alike. Today, it's estimated that at least 10 million Americans have at least one tattoo. Among people ages 18 to 30, one in four has a tattoo.
In many cases, people who have a tattoo later regret their decision to make such a permanent alteration to their skin. A tattoo may represent a relationship that has ended or may even have a negative connotation, such as gang membership. Some people see their tattoo as standing in the way of a professional career or as a social stigma. All of these reasons stem from a change in personal preferences and identity. In a 2006 study of people with tattoos, roughly 20% of people with a tattoo had changed their mind and regretted having it done.
Due to the number of people that decide they no longer want their tattoo, several tattoo removal methods have been developed. Some of the earliest methods for tattoo removal include dermabrasion, where layers of skin are removed with a wire brush, and salabrasion, where pads coated with salt are used to rub away the tattoo. Both these techniques leave scarring that many patients find to be worse than the original tattoo. Dermabrasion is especially painful and can result in infection. Burning has also been used to remove tattoos, often without the supervision of a doctor. Another technique involves surgical removal of the tattooed area of skin. All of these treatments can have unpredictable results and result in changes to skin color, scarring, pain, and failure to remove the tattoo completely.
Advances in laser technology now provide better solutions for cases of tattoo regret. The high intensity light beam of a laser can be used to break up the ink of a tattoo. The success rate of laser tattoo removal has made other removal methods nearly obsolete. When laser treatment is available, it's the preferred method for tattoo removal.
Who is Laser Tattoo Removal for?
Anyone who is in good health can get laser treatment to remove a tattoo. The best candidates for laser tattoo removal are people with fair skin who have tattoos with ink which is not too deep. Tattoos on the arms, chest and legs are usually the easiest to remove. For people with dark skin tones, laser treatment may be less successful. Also, tattoos on areas of the body with very little body fat, such as ankles and fingers, are very difficult to treat and the results can be unpredictable. The best way to determine if a tattoo can be removed with laser treatment is to consult a doctor who is a tattoo removal specialist.
For most people, the treatment will be a success. However, some tattoos cannot be completed removed with lasers. Tattoo application procedures have become more advanced in recent years and many tattoo inks are truly permanent. For tattoos which were applied within the past decade, laser treatments may result in some scarring in the areas where tattoo ink was applied.
Laser tattoo removal should not be used on people affected by diabetes, HIV, or other conditions which compromise the immune system. People who are taking medications which make the skin more sensitive to light, such as antidepressants, should consult their doctor before seeking laser tattoo removal.
How Laser Tattoo Removal Works
When a tattoo is exposed to a laser's highly concentrated light beam, ink in the tattoo is broken up into small particles which the body's scavenger cells later clear away. In order for the ink to be completely fragmented into particles, multiple laser treatment sessions may be necessary. The number of sessions required is dependent on the depth of the ink in the tattoo.
Laser tattoo removal is known as a bloodless procedure, meaning no incisions are required. Because a laser can be targeted on the ink of the tattoo, there is no permanent damage to surrounding skin, though some pain and blistering may occur after several laser treatments in the same area.
Laser treatment usually takes place in a doctor's office. A treatment session begins with the patient putting on protective eye shades as a precaution against the bright light of the laser. A small patch of the tattoo is tested with the laser to determine the correct energy setting. When the setting is determined, the doctor will place a small probe on the tattoo and activate the laser pulse. The treatment session will involve from 10-30 rapid pulses, depending on the size of the tattoo.
Following treatment, ice is placed on the treated area to minimize swelling. After half an hour, a topical antibiotic is applied and a sterile dressing is used to cover the tattoo. The tattoo should be left dry and treated as sunburn for a few days after treatment.
The process of having a tattoo applied is painful and the removal process may likewise cause discomfort. Many patients find the rapid laser pulses to be uncomfortable. The doctor administering the laser treatment may recommend Tylenol before the session begins, but stronger medications that thin the blood should be avoided. To help decrease pain, a local anesthetic ointment may be applied before treatment or an anesthetic may be injected into the tattoo.
How often is Treatment Recommended?
Most simple tattoos can be removed by 2-4 treatments. The treatments are usually scheduled at intervals of one or two months. Complex tattoos may require 6-10 treatments, with two months between each treatment. Large areas of the skin which have been tattooed by a professional tattoo artist may require many sessions to remove, and complete removal cannot be guaranteed.
Laser treatment is most effective on blue and black colored tattoo ink. The results of lasers on other colors are variable and depend on the depth of penetration of the ink. A physician should be consulted to determine the likelihood of removing a specific tattoo with laser treatment.
Laser Tattoo Removal Side Effects
Since lasers were first introduced for tattoo removal, technology has advanced so that laser treatments are safer and have less risk of scarring. Today, the side effects from laser tattoo removal are generally minimal. Possible side effects which occur in a small number of cases include hyperpigmentation (excessive skin color) or hypopigmentation (excessive skin whitening). Infection is another possible side effect; there is a low incidence of permanent scarring.
Immediately following a laser treatment, the affected area may become red and take on the appearance of sunburn. This condition may last for several weeks or months but will eventually diminish.
Who can Provide Laser Tattoo Removal?
Laser tattoo removal should only be performed by a certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. The procedure may be performed in a doctor's office or plastic surgery center. For the best possible results from laser tattoo removal, a doctor who is trained and experienced in laser treatment should be consulted.
Our Sponsors
